A Greater Manchester MP has vowed ‘I will not be cowed’ after a sledgehammer was used in an attack at his home.
Labour’s Andrew Western, 39, was re-elected as the MP for Stretford and Urmston following Thursday’s General Election. Yet just 48 hours later he says his home was targeted and that someone took a sledgehammer to his property.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are now said to be investigating. Mr Western says he is ‘absolutely fine’ and that no one was hurt. However, he says he has decided to speak out regarding the incident in order to highlight the ‘harassment, intimidation and abuse’ politicians routinely face.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Western said “Considered whether to post this but sadly needs saying: Last night there was an incident at my home that is being investigated by police as part of Operation Bridger. I am absolutely fine and no one was hurt but the toxicity in our politics at present must be drawn out.
“The harassment, intimidation and abuse of politicians is not ok and is not normal. That said it is becoming an ever more regular occurrence. I am proud to represent the people of Stretford and Urmston and I will not be cowed as I seek to serve them to the best of my ability.”
He added: “I want to thank GMP for an excellent response and say that these idiots do not speak for our community and I will do all I can to ensure they never do.”
In response to a user of the social media site saying it was ‘probably just someone taking the Mickey’, Mr Western said: “I’ll tell you that when someone takes a sledgehammer to your property.
“Precisely the sort of response that made me think twice. Eventually, people will realise what MPs are having to put up with ever more routinely.”
Operation Bridger is a nationwide police protection security programme for MPs. It was established in 2016 in the wake of the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. GMP have been contacted for comment.
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A lifelong Trafford resident, Mr Western grew up in Timperley and joined the Labour Party aged 17. He became leader of Trafford Council in 2018 and was selected twice as the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Altrincham and Sale West in 2017 and 2019 – reducing the Tory majority on both occasions.
He then won the Stretford seat in a by-election in 2022 called in response to former Labour frontbencher Kate Green stepping down to become deputy mayor of Greater Manchester.
At Thursday’s poll he increased his majority to more than 16,000. He received 22,642 votes with his Conservative rival Mark Cornes a distant second with 6,492 votes.
Afterwards, he said: ” “I want to thank the people of Stretford and Urmston who have placed their faith in me and the Labour Party yet again with an overwhelming majority. I will not let you down. I am honoured to be your representative.
“This has been an incredible evening. Change was promised and change has been delivered. After 14 years of chaos, I look forward to playing my part in that change.”
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.
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